SBI MLS Player of the Month: Chris Wondolowski

The month of June may have been a short one for Major League Soccer, but that didn't stop Chris Wondolowski from turning in a month's worth of heroics.

After spending the first half of June with the U.S. national team, Wondolowski returned to the San Jose Earthquakes and managed to deliver three game-winning goal to help San Jose post a perfect 3-0 month and move into first place in the Western Conference. Wondolowski's hat-trick of winners made him the easy pick for SBI MLS Player of the Month.

Wondolowski beat out a field that included Toronto FC's Danny Koevermans, Houston's Will Bruin and Chicago's Marco Pappa. Koevermans tallied an impressive five goals in June for TFC, while Bruin notched four goals.

What did you think of Wondolowski's performance in June? Which MLS player would have gotten your vote for Player of the Month?

after the third year in a row STILL leading the league in goals scored, every team knows Wondo can hurt you and yet, he still manages to score knockout punches. hasn’t had the golazzo’s like 2010 so far, but he keeps putting them in the net, including the game winners. Even with a list of players that includes, George Best, Ronald Cerritos, DeRosario, and Donovan, i believe he is certain to be the greatest the Earthquake of all time.

It’s not like Wondolowski has really had a shot with the National team. The record shows eight caps but most of those were late subs… He’s had three starts and all three ended in early subs…

This last stretch with the National team was horrid waste of time for both him and SJ. He dressed for 3 of the 5 games and was given a token 10 minute sub. If he’s not going to play he shouldn’t be called up…

He scores sitters and other goals off great crosses/services. He’s not that fast and isn’t the best at creating his own goals. Basically he is a great finisher and very calm in front of the goal but that’s it. He doesn’t consistently display many of the qualities that European clubs are looking for: quickness, power, good footwork, passing, etc.

I’m not hatin on the guy because he’s clearly crushing the MLS, but as we’ve seen he just isn’t quite up to par against quality int’l competition.

Would your leave for Europe for $600k ? I wouldn’t because I like living here.
$300k is a pretty good salary and I am sure he gets some small endorsements here, would get none there.
Plus what team is he going to play on there, one that is eliminated before the season starts ? San Jose is darn good and getting better.

Danish league is comparable to MLS though their top2 teams are stronger than our top 2, it pays more, they get regular European play, everyone speaks English there, he’d have more in case for NT consideration.

Also the Dutch league. Even if it’s a team like Roda or Vitese. Or Bundesliga 2 or The Championship. Or leagues like Greece/Turkey/Belgium/Switzerland

He grew up in the bay area, so he lives in his hometown, plays for his hometown team, where he is a legend, and his family and friends come to all his games. Would you leave that to go across the Atlantic for like a 40% raise?

“but as we’ve seen he just isn’t quite up to par against quality int’l competition”

No, we haven’t seen that. As I have pointed out, he has actually played LESS than 4 full games with the national team scattered over 8 caps. He played well and didn’t look out place. Missed a couple of chances he always finishes in MLS but that had nothing to do with the “quality” of the opponent.